Jefferson Township Squirrel Hunt – 1824

The following article about a squirrel hunt in Jefferson Township, Switzerland County, Indiana appeared in:
Vevay Reveille – 16 May 1867 – Page 2, Column 3

Squirrel Hunt in Switzerland County in 1824.

Mr. Baird:–Last week I gave the result of a squirrel hunt in Craig Township. I will now give the result of a hunt in Jefferson Township, the result of which was ascertained on the 27th of March, 1824, on which day the hunters met and counted their game. But before giving the result, it may not be amiss to state how the hunts of those days were conducted:

The hunters met and appointed two captains, then selected the men who were to compose their respective companies; and on the day agreed upon to commence the hunt, each party sailed forth to their deadly work of extermination. In the hunt, of which the following result is given, the hunters were designated as “Stepleton’s men,” and “Cotton’s men:”

STEPLETON’S MEN.

  • James Brown – 361
  • Ira Everdon – 163
  • William Cotton, jr. – 121
  • James Picket – 85
  • Lewis W. Beal – 177
  • John Stickler – 212
  • Alexander Nelson – 192
  • Peter Harper – 147
  • Nicholas Boyland – 74
  • James Dugan – 100
  • Andrew Bellons – 83
  • Zeras Sisson – 60
  • John Stepleton – 205
  • Nathaniel Mix – 120

COTTON’S MEN.

  • John F. Cotton – 218
  • Jonathan A. Gerrard – 243
  • Samuel Peak – 625
  • William Brown – 106
  • John F. Brown – 247
  • William Keith – 750
  • Jacob Kern, jr. – 236
  • Allen Burton – 159
  • Benjamin Picket – 81
  • John Cetti – 103
  • Lyman Mix – 13
  • George W. Probasa – 115
  • Henry Cotton – 413
  • Miles Mendenhall – 50
  • Friend Shrall – 129
  • Bunn Green – 204

How long the hunt continued, I have no means of informing you. Four of these men, James Brown, John Stickler, John F. Cotton and Benjamin Picket, are still living in this county, and I think perhaps Samuel Peak, as I have not heard of his death. Lewis W. Beal is living near Madison, Ind., Miles Mendenhall at Napoleon, Ind., Zeras Sisson in Iowa or Illinois, and William Cotton, jr., near Louisville, Ky.

It may appear as a “big squirrel story” to most of your readers, who have never inhabited a squirrel region, but they can satisfy themselves as to the truth of the statement by calling on any one of the gentlemen who were engaged in that hunt, who may now be living. Would it not be a subject of interest and curiosity to your numerous readers, to read of some of the privations of the early settlers of this portion of Indiana? D.

It would without a doubt, friend D., and if you, or “any other man,” will furnish us sketches of the early history of our town and county, we will appreciate the favor.